About 40,000 state laws taking effect at the start of the new year will
change rules about getting abortions in New Hampshire, learning about
gays and lesbians in California, getting jobs in Alabama and even
driving golf carts in Georgia.

Several federal rules change with the new year, too, including a
Social Security increase amounting to $450 a year for the average
recipients and stiff fines up to $2,700 per offense for truckers and bus
drivers caught using hand-held cellphones while driving.